Aching & fatigue after insect bite?

@nancyjt
You may want to get tested for Lyme disease.

@nancyjt It is possible, if you were bit by something venomous, to react as you describe. You can try an OTC antihistamine - it often helps. But I'm betting it is your fibro...

My fibro is just like that, has been for over 30 years. Sometimes I forget myself when I feel good - get in 2-3 days of "getting a lot done" - then I pay for it with a day or more of pain and fatigue. My husband has other health challenges, and can be the same.

This Spring we have instituted a plan to try to limit this, based on a schedule my Dad used after he retired - it seemed weird to me then, but it makes great sense now!
First, unless someone is bleeding, water is flowing or the house is on fire, just about any task can wait until tomorrow or next week. Second, Sunday or whichever day you choose is for REST and relaxation.
Eat breakfast.
Stay hydrated.
Work 2-3 hours in the morning with at least one sit down break.
Stop for lunch and a brief rest, don't just grab food and go.
Work 2-3 hours in the afternoon then STOP even if not "tired."
Watch the news or socialize with friends/neighbors and eat a nice supper.
Evening is for hobbies, paperwork, games, TV, reading or catching up on-line.

If you MUST do one or more longer, busier days, rest the next day and only do very light tasks. Errands and appointments count as "work" because they take energy. Since I started following this, I have far fewer "fibro crashes".

Keep in mind, Lyme-infected ticks can be as small as a grain of sand. If symptoms persist or worsen, I suggest you see a Lyme-literate doctor (ILADS.org can help find one in your area) and be tested 'properly' for Lyme. Our family has battled Lyme for 5 years. The usual test in doctors' offices often comes back negative or etc .. and thanks to CDC is very antiquated. We were finally diagnosed thru IGENEX labs.

Sue, I have had Lyme or Fibromyalgia for 7 years! Your advice is SPOT ON!!! I live by myself with my three dogs! I have recently retired, like 7 days ago! But when I was working, my office is in my house, with help of my "OLD TIME DOCTOR" to go on the schedule you refer too!
Only way to survive!
I found it so important to not read "YOUR OWN PRESS CLIPPINGS" when you feel good for a couple of days! Then you overdue it and suffer for the next week or two!
EVERYONE PLEASE TAKE SUE'S ADVICE TO HEART! WE HAVE SUFFERED LONG ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE!
GOOD LUCK AND BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!
SUNDANCE aka RB

Thanks, Dianne. I will keep that in mind. I live in Oregon, in the big city, have no animals, and don't go out in nature except in my back yard and the neighborhood playground with my grandkids, so I think I'm at very low risk for Lyme. Have never seen a tick. I'm sorry you've had such a struggle with it; I have heard stories and know it's a tough one. Best of luck to you and your family!

Hi Sue, I bet you are right!! In 1999 when I found out I was a migraineur (ocular migraine), lost the hearing in my left ear (when I sneezed), and started getting a boatload of neuro symptoms (Lhermitte's, trigeminal neuralgia, etc.) I began keeping a detailed journal of symptoms, including my worst, dizziness, and kept it up for 10-15 years; I could never figure out clear and consistent connections between the symptoms and anything else--although certainly too much activity could lead to a whole lotta ACHING that night or the next day.

I also had (and still occasionally have) periods where I would suddenly get so fatigued I could not do ANYTHING for three or four days, then I would be back to baseline, and NO REASON for it. That doesn't happen as often anymore, but I think it's because I'm retired (since 2019) and I sleep til past 11 a.m. every day (LOVE IT!!), and we don't have to babysit the grandkids several times a week anymore, only a few days per month. Rest and sleep are really the key.

Your schedule sounds great. (It's easy for me to put off tasks because I'm a born procrastinator!) While I was working, that's about what I did. Now it's easier for me to control my schedule, especially since most days are free.

My mother had a pretty severe case of fibro, though not diagnosed until she was 62, when fibro became recognized. I never had any trauma, but think I triggered mine in the early 1990s when I was doing freelance copyediting and was ALWAYS way behind schedule, so had NO regular sleep schedule--I remember having the Tylenol bottle beside my desk for weeks at a time. By the 2000s I was taking both Tylenol and ibuprofen or naproxen daily. Recently had to stop the naproxen due to minor stomach bleeding, but some days I can't live without taking one Aleve (not four per day anymore!).

I agree you have to really manage activity carefully!! Sounds like you are a pro! Thanks much for the good advice! Take care now.

Hi Sundancer, I agree 100% with everything you said!! Take care!